Tourism in the Amazon: conclusions and solutions

Purpose – The paper aims to present answers to the strategic question: “Does sustainable tourism offer solutions for the protection of the Amazon rainforest?” It also aims to capture the essence of conclusions of eight papers written by 11 tourism experts to the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes ( WHATT ) issue on tourism in the Amazon, South America. Design/methodology/approach – The paper integrates all solutions suggested in these eight papers and sought to provide a succinct response to the strategic question. Findings – While providing a helicopter view of the key challenges of sustainable tourism development in the Amazon, this paper proposes implementable solutions to those challenges. Using the 2009 WHATT roundtable discussion in Brasilia as the foundation, this paper addresses some of the most significant issues affecting the Amazon and its people in the context of tourism in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname. In conclusion, 12 key suggestions are made for the Amazon, which envisions healthy and sustainable growth of tourism for its people. Originality/value – This paper provides fresh perspectives on many relevant issues by analysing inputs, viewpoints, comments, and suggestions of many regional tourism experts. Readers with interests in the Amazon or similar tourism destinations around the world would benefit from this paper.